ChemOrbis Global Petrochemicals Conference ’25 highlights shifting trade winds and rising restructuring wave

The ChemOrbis Global Petrochemicals Conference ’25, held on September 18, 2025, at the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul, brought together senior executives, petrochemical producers, traders and converters as well as market experts to discuss how global polymer markets are evolving under the weight of new capacities, tariffs, shifting trade rules, and of course the rising need for restructuring.

Rönesans Holding was the main sponsor of the event, where Honorary President Dr. Erman Ilıcak emphasized resilience and long-term growth in his opening speech. He also shared details on the 1,350-hectare DAPEK Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Industrial Zone developed by Rönesans in Ceyhan. The zone will host a PDH-PP plant in partnership with Sonatrach and a liquid chemicals terminal jointly developed with Stolt-Nielsen. The $2 billion investment, one of Türkiye’s largest private sector projects, is scheduled to start operations by the end of 2027.

The conference also received strong backing from industry partners: Huzur Plastik as the Coffee Break Sponsor, Boykan as the Logistics & Surveillance Sponsor, and Analiz Customs Consultancy (AGM) as the Customs Clearance & Advisory Sponsor. Adding an engaging touch, Keleşler Plastik supported the event as the Giveaway Sponsor. Plastics Summit Global Event and plastonline supported the event as media partners.

Morning sessions: Macroeconomic headwinds and tariff battles

The day began with Özlem Derici Şengül, Founder of Spinn Consulting, who offered a deep dive into Turkey’s economic positioning amid both domestic vulnerabilities and global pressures. She highlighted external financing requirements, inflation targets, and the country’s credit rating outlook, stressing that while risks remain, growth is possible through structural reforms and disciplined policy.

The global trade spotlight then shifted to Roger Green, European Advisor at ChemPMC, who explored “Tariff Wars: What Do They Mean for the Polyolefin World.” His analysis underscored the disruptive impact of U.S. trade actions on polymer exports, with knock-on effects for supply chains and pricing. The audience engaged actively, debating how Europe might navigate volume displacements and the complexities of U.S.–China energy trade relations.

Midday: Inevitable change unfolds in polyolefin markets, restructuring gathers pace across high-cost regions

Sessions led by ChemOrbis analysts provided granular insight into product trends. Esra Ersöz, Director, Content/Market Information, explained the recent scale of restructuring across Europe and Asia, offering a deep dive into the cost-side pressures that have forced closures and scale-downs, as well as the spillover effects of ongoing trade wars on olefins and polyolefins.

Building on this, Merve Sezgün Topcu, Manager, Asia Market Information, briefed delegates on the recent supply shifts and growth expectations in the China and India PP and PE markets, emphasizing how these two powerhouses continue to reshape the balance of global demand.

Turning to Europe, Manolya Tufan Eriş, Assistant Manager, Market Information Türkiye, highlighted the continent’s rapidly rising import dependence under the current restructuring wave, noting how high-cost producers are being forced to reassess competitiveness.

Closing the session, Merve Madakbaşı, Manager, Market Information Türkiye, discussed Türkiye’s growing market size and assessed the feasibility of several new projects under consideration, weighing both opportunities and risks in the current investment climate.

Together, these perspectives painted a clear picture: polyolefin markets are undergoing profound structural change, with Asia’s expansion, Europe’s retrenchment, and Türkiye’s strategic positioning all shaping the next chapter of global trade.

Afternoon: Sustainability, circularity, and new growth frontiers

The afternoon sessions shifted to sustainability and recycling. Theresia Gollner, Regional Operational Projects & Sustainability Manager AMET at ALPLA Middle East DMCC, presented on the balance between profitability and recycled PET adoption. She outlined both the advantages in terms of carbon footprint and the persistent integration challenges—ranging from production hurdles to legislative inconsistencies in the AMET region.

Next, Amaro Araujo of INEOS Styrolution Netherlands BV shared a compelling case study on polystyrene’s comeback, spotlighting real-world applications such as yogurt pots produced with mechanically recycled PS (mrPS). His presentation emphasized both regulatory alignment and technical breakthroughs that make rPS viable for food contact applications, while still acknowledging the need for harmonized EFSA approvals.

After a networking coffee break sponsored by Huzur Plastik, the spotlight turned to PVC. Ebru Canbeyli, PVC Product Manager for EMEA & CIS at Tricon Energy, detailed China’s aggressive capacity growth, global surplus expansion, and weak construction demand, contrasting with India’s emergence as a bright spot. She also linked PVC’s outlook to developments in the chlor-alkali chain, emphasizing its integral role in shaping trade balances.

Closing the formal agenda, Gizem Şatıroğlu, Co-Founder of MEG Snetor, provided a forward-looking perspective on Africa. Describing the region as a “cradle of back-to-back adventure,” she explored both risks and opportunities tied to polyolefin markets, from PE and PP trade balances to fresh capacity investments. Her remarks highlighted Africa’s increasing importance as both a growth engine and a strategic challenge for global producers.

A day of dialogue and connections

Each block concluded with Q&A sessions and lucky draws, while the lunch and coffee breaks offered prime networking opportunities.

By the end of the day, delegates agreed that the petrochemical sector is entering a new chapter—where tariffs, regulatory shifts, and sustainability imperatives intersect with emerging markets and technological change. The ChemOrbis Global Petrochemicals Conference ’25 not only underscored Istanbul’s role as a global crossroads but also reaffirmed the need for collaboration to navigate an increasingly complex future.